NYC staple Pizza by Certé becomes green certified

New York's Pizza by Certé has been designated a 3 Star Certified Green Restaurant by the Green Restaurant Association, a national nonprofit specializing in helping restaurants become more sustainable.

Receiving 206.35 points on the GRA's certification scale and having implemented 76 steps, Pizza by Certé has gone more than 100 percent above the requirements necessary for certification.

"We are aware that there is a growing need for restaurants to be conscious of their environmental impact now, more than ever before," said Chef Edward Sylvia. "Now, when customers see the accredited Certified Green Restaurant seal in the window, they'll know we are committed to helping the environment in every way possible.

In accordance to the GRA's Certification guidelines, 3 Star Certified Green Restaurants must meet a minimum of 175 points in six of seven key environmental categories. Pizza by Certé is one of only 16 restaurants in New York to have achieved this distinction. To achieve this distinction, Pizza by Certé completed 76 steps, including:

Implementing a full-scale recycling and composting program, becoming a Near Zero Waste restaurant;

Purchasing 39 percent of monthly foods from vegan sources, and committing to sourcing from local food populations;and

Using low-flow faucets and spray valves on their hand washing and prep sinks, which save thousands of gallons of water and energy.

Other green commitments made by the establishment include using eco-pizza boxes from Greenbox, utilization of rain water for non-consumption uses, and having all deliveries made by foot or hybrid truck.